edanna

I haven't touched a sewing machine since home economics in the 80s but now I have a strange urge to make stuff, not that I have the time of course. So, do you think I can buy a cheap machine and a Teach yourself sewing book and work out alone how to make basic cushion covers, curtains etc? Any books you'd recommend? And will a cheap machine (john lewis do one for ?59) be rubbish? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Have you had any twinges? I was going to have a sweep with no 2 but when I told the midwife I'd been having twinges she said she'd rather not because it sounded like I might be getting there on my own. I had the twinges for at least a week, maybe in very very low-grade labour and then at 41 weeks waters broke and baby born 90 mins later.

If the play area is separate from the one o clock club, thus reducing its lovely outside space massively, there should be a gate connecting the two areas so there can be a free flow when the club is open (if this isn't prevented by health and safety issues). Does anyone know where the plans are? Although the new play area will probably be lovely, it seems like the one o clock club is being squeezed physically as well as financially, when really Southwark should be trying their hardest to keep it open to all and at least as good as it is already.

I heard that the new playground will be part of the public park, not the one o'clock club, which seems to leave the one o'clock club with a very limited outside space if this is true. Where is the public information on this? And where is the consultation?!

The level 2 restaurant at Tate M, a bit of a walk from LB. Nice walk though.

Oh no! Thanks for the warning.

Oh dear Moos, that's probably as bad as it's going to get. I bet it will be uphill from here. Hope he gets better V soon.

My GP said outdoors was OK. I've been hanging out in a lot of cemeteries lately because there's hardly anyone to infect there. Nunhead Cemetery is lovely for a walk and quiet in the week. I keep to the main paths if on my own. If your baby's in the buggy the chance of them infecting anyone outdoors must be minute. Just keep them away from other kids.

A dangerous tree apparently. Could be closed for a while. Oh dear.

Like others have said there are good and bad. I've had pretty positive experiences. Compared with GPs - if you're worried about your baby's health, always see a GP. HVs can be helpful with advice about feeding and sleeping etc and a good one will help you just by listening to all your worries and reassuring you that you're doing a good job as a new mum. Some of them do give bum advice. But if you're uncertain you can always get a second opinion from a GP or on here! Most of them really do want to help.

Thanks mrs.lotte, it's terrific to read such positive stuff - I'm so pleased for you and your son.

Just to resurrect this thread, which I missed before, have you got any thoughts on how the school copes with a range of abilities? Ofsted reports often seem to comment on support given to vulnerable pupils and those with special needs, which of course is really important, but I wish they would also comment on how more able pupils fare.

Really useful - thanks for your detailed response. Now I'll check out the other thread!

I don't think they can do anything to you - it's not a legal requirement. But you get the Bookstart stuff - while the funding lasts - and my little boy enjoyed the opportunity to show off. They are checking fairly basic stuff, which I'm sure you could check yourself - it's well intentioned, to pick up any issues with sight/speech/movement etc that might benefit from early attention. I'm sure you could ask someone to come to your house if you wanted.

I'd second what Saffron said about being able to move with monitoring and drip. During my first labour, at Kings, I had both but was still walking around, kneeling on the floor, leaning on the birthing ball etc for many many hours! Hopefully you'll get lucky and have a speedy second birth - mine was 90 mins and I was in and out of the hospital in no time. Even though the first one was pretty traumatic I felt fine about going back there - same room! - the second time and I even felt that the second more positive experience healed my bad feelings about the first. If I were you I would go for the hospital option but plan as much as you can to make it comfortable. Good luck!

Coach Beth, what are your experiences of Goose Green? It seems to be on the up.

I once saw an elderly couple knocked to the floor on a bus going along Aldwych - I think someone cut in front of the bus so the driver had to brake suddenly. In fact I was about to offer one of them a seat, even though i was pretty pregnant, thinking I was getting off soon and would be fine standing. Don't like to think of being thrown like that with a bump and it did mAke me more careful on public transport. The couple were fine, though shaken.

Mmm, I think the road closure order will be for 18 months but the issue will be reviewed after 6. I knew I should have taken notes!

Recommendations are going to the next licensing committee meeting, which I think is this Wednesday. The extension to 30 pitches has previously been agreed and is going ahead. The recommendations include not to open the Market on a Sunday and to pedestrianise the part of Northcross rd between Lordship Lane and Nutfield rd on Saturdays. Edited to say the road closure will be on an 18-month trial.

Thanks Renata, is this something on which they will consult users of the club and staff?

Hi Cheerydisco, I had baby no 2 in the bottom for a while, because it would tip up very easily otherwise, especially on the bus. But I do now have her in the top - she's 9 months, though big for her age - because it was getting really hard to get her in and out and no 1 who is 3 doesn't go in that often. You must be v careful not to take light one out of the top when heavy one in bottom, unless you are ready to counterbalance with something, otherwise it will tip up very suddenly. Apart from that, it works really well for me.

I'd really recommend the book Life after Birth, possibly out of print and can't remember the author now. But it prepares you about as much as you can be.

No suggestions from me, sorry, but lots of sympathy! Hope she gets better soon. X

Hi Charlotte, I would take the shoe comment with a pinch of salt because, as you know, our boys go to the same place and while mine can slip on a pair of crocs with ease he struggles to put on a proper structured shoe that you have to manipulate to get your foot into, if you know what I mean. You could buy shoes that are easier to get on? As for the morning dressing battles, a very familiar scene in our house! All in good time I hope. Anna x

Hi M, There are loads of things. Do you get SE22 mag through the door? That lists quite a few things. Doing a music class is a nice way to meet some mums and also Bumps and Babes. One o clock club etc are good when they're a bit older... If you have a poke around on here there have been similar threads before. Good luck with it all. Anna x